Performers College Essex debuts purpose-built theatre for graduate year productions
This year’s Level 6 showcase performances, which included productions of Rock of Ages, Into the Woods, and specially commissioned showcases such as Heterogeneity, Gluttony, Twisted Perception and Spark have featured a huge change to previous years – our own purpose-built theatre erected on campus.
In previous years, showcases have taken place at external venues – however when this year’s venue had to close suddenly for safety reasons due to the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete in their structure, the Essex campus leapt upon the opportunity to create their own bespoke performance space on site.
Dougie Mills, Head of Productions for Performing Arts at BIMM University, acted immediately alongside the Essex College Management Team in to find a suitable solution. The team moved quickly to source and construct a venue befitting the calibre of our level 6 students and facilitate them giving their best performance possible in front of packed-out audiences of both students and family and friends.
Take a look at our Essex campus theatre in action and hear from Dougie and the team in the video below.
BIMM University Pro Vice-Chancellor of Student Experience Dr. Mark Cunnington had this to say about the project:
“At BIMM University, everything we do is with our students and staff at the heart, for the creative industries. The team at Performers College have done an amazing job, exemplifying this spirit. Losing a pre-booked theatre space to RAAC late in the day, was undoubtedly unexpected. But with energy and creative drive, the team built a bespoke, professional theatre space at our Corringham campus. The results are there to be seen – a great venue where our amazing students could perform at the highest level, showcasing their exceptional talents.”
Pro Vice-Chancellor of Performing Arts Tony Followell added:
“I had the enormous privilege of seeing a performance of Rock of Ages in the theatre at Performers College Essex recently and was mightily impressed, first and foremost by the enormous talent on display from everyone in the show, but also by the theatre itself. Dougie and team have turned adversity into triumph and I’m very grateful for the hard work, ingenuity and determination which went in to make sure the students and audiences had the best possible experience. Congratulations to all on a stunning end of year finale!”
To discover more about Performers College, including auditions and how to apply, contact us at [email protected] or book an Open Day on our Events page.
